I have peridontal disease and have lost two back lower teeth (one on
each side) and my gums have receaded a lot.  I have had the deep
cleaning treatment a few months back.  Some of my front teeth are
starting to losen.  My periodontist says I need to have the gums
pulled down to clean down to the roots.  He says he can do bone graffs
for missing bone and pull the gum line down. My teeth are very
sensitive now.  My question is this is a very expensive operation and
I hate to lose my teeth a year or two from now.
1. Can my teeth be tightened up with bone graffs?
2. Can my gums be pulled down far enough to stop the sensibility
problem?
3. Which teeth are worth saving first upper or lower?
4. What is the percentage of this treatment working?
5. Should I have my teeth removed and get false ones and save a lot of
pain and money?
41 years old

Most of your questions are only answerable after taking a closer look at you
case. ( IE: x-rays, medical history, dental history, general {*filter*}
hygiene...etc.)  One question I would like to address is re: which teeth would
be better to save, upper or lower.  I guess this is a two part answer:  All
teeth are great to save but something to keep in mind is if one tooth is
extracted (let's say a lower)  then the upper tooth opposing that tooth will
have a tendency to extrude or try to meet its mate if you will.  If dentures
are an option, I understand that patients have a difficult time adjusting to
the lower plate as opposed to the upper.  I hope if any of my statements need
to corrected or ellaborated on, that one of the good Dr.'s in our ng will
reply!!!  Thanks!   Karey RDH

I have peridontal disease and have lost two back lower teeth (one on
each side) and my gums have receaded a lot.  I have had the deep
cleaning treatment a few months back.  Some of my front teeth are
starting to losen.  My periodontist says I need to have the gums
pulled down to clean down to the roots.  He says he can do bone graffs
for missing bone and pull the gum line down. My teeth are very
sensitive now.  My question is this is a very expensive operation and
I hate to lose my teeth a year or two from now.
1. Can my teeth be tightened up with bone graffs?
2. Can my gums be pulled down far enough to stop the sensibility
problem?
3. Which teeth are worth saving first upper or lower?
4. What is the percentage of this treatment working?
5. Should I have my teeth removed and get false ones and save a lot of
pain and money?
41 years old